Party in park hits top note

PUBLISHED: 15:47 09 July 2001 | UPDATED: 10:18 03 March 2010

EVEN the weather behaved itself to make the tenth birthday of the Ipswich Music Day a great success with more than 40,000 attending. And with a major new sponsor it looks like it will be going from strength to strength.

EVEN the weather behaved itself to make the tenth birthday of the Ipswich Music Day a great success with more than 40,000 attending.

And with a major new sponsor it looks like it will be going from strength to strength.

The day started with the threat of rain but by lunch time the clouds had lifted enough for thousands of people to make it to Christchurch for this music extravaganza.

The celebrations were an eclectic mix of all things musical from bright orange drums being beaten at the park entrance to the Co-op band playing a selection of film classics.

This musical mixture which appeals to all ages was one of the reasons the new sponsors, Btexact Technologies and Brightstar, wanted to get involved with the day.

Stewart Davies, chief executive officer for Btexact Technologies said: "There is so much creativity and innovation here today and it is a great way to release the talent abundant in Ipswich and surrounding areas.

"We wanted to get involved in this because not only is it in support of such a great charity, the Prince's Trust, but also music is something which can touch everyone, regardless of age."

A Prince's Trust spokesman said: "Today is about creativity, here we have musicians from all over the county and Ipswich Borough Council has shown itself to be leading the UK in this area as it is the biggest event in the UK."

When asked why he thought Ipswich's Music Day was so successful when others had failed Mr Davies said: "There is something about the area and the park itself that is very significant.

"There is a great community spirit in Ipswich and people want to get involved with things, and of course there is a great amount of talent around."

This was clear to see as people got involved with everything from face painting to jazz and dance music at one of the eight different stages, which included an Evening Star stage.

There was also the chance for children to have master classes with the City of London Sinfonia orchestra, before joining them on stage in a performance.

Brightstar is a technology incubator where innovation is developed and new ideas encouraged and sponsoring the youth music stand seemed to fit in well with the philosophy of the company.

Mr Davies believes that as a company it is important they are part of the community as well.

"BT has been in the area for many years but we have had a lower profile than I would have liked, now with events like this we can change all that.

"With a bit of luck will be back sponsoring this event next year too."